Chapter 11 — Return to Eighteen

I nodded, a string in my heart vibrating slightly. At six o'clock in the afternoon, after work, I got on the bus to go to the Uc family's house. I know that Uc Kien Quoc and Lam Tu Cuc are still being questioned at the police station and won't be returning tonight. This is the best time for me to move away completely. I walked into my room, on the floor there were still piles of books and miscellaneous items that had been ransacked before. I pulled out the drawer and found my household registration book and citizen ID card. These things are the most important. While cleaning, I heard light footsteps behind me. I turned my head and saw Uc Nhue Dao standing in front of the bedroom door. The girl's face was pale and almost transparent, her eye sockets were slightly red, but she tried hard not to cry. "Sister." Uc Nhue Dao's voice was light, carrying a bit of hoarseness, "Are you going?" I didn't answer, continuing to stuff things into my backpack. Uc Nhue Dao walked in, sat down on the edge of the bed, her eyes fell on her bulging backpack, her lips trembled. "I know you hate us." The girl bowed her head, her fingers rubbing the hem of her nightgown, "I'm really scared, I'm afraid I won't be able to pass the university entrance exam in this life... I didn't mean it." Her tears finally fell, falling soundlessly on the back of her hand. "I'm just not in good health, I just want a chance." "If you don't want to, you can tell me, why should you call the police? Why let the police take your parents away?" The movements on my hand stopped for a moment. a moment, raised her head to look at it. "I already refused at that time, right? You pretended not to understand, and were hypocritical to force me." Uc Nhue Dao's crying stopped, a flash of panic flashed through her eyes, but it was quickly hidden by more tears. The girl looked at me pitifully: "Sister, can't you forgive just once? They raised you for eighteen years." I stared at that innocent face, a chill rising from the bottom of my heart. I stood up, zipped up my backpack: "Uc Nhue Dao, you don't have to pretend to be pitiful in front of me." "You're smarter than them, you know how to use tears to soften people's hearts, but I won't be fooled again." Uc Nhue Dao's tears immediately receded, and a layer of coldness emerged in those wet eyes that was hard to detect. The girl also stood up, her voice still gentle, but like a sugar-coated knife. "Sister, you are really too cruel." He tilted his head, the corner of his mouth curled up into an extremely faint smile, "But it's okay, it's good for you to go. After all, this house was never yours." I tightened my backpack strap, without saying a word. Uc Nhue Dao took two steps forward, close to my ear, her voice was as soft as a breeze. "But even if you pass the Bac Dai exam, so what? You will forever be just someone no one needs." Uc Nhue Dao's voice was like a small needle, gently inserted into the middle of my chest. My fingers clenched the backpack's straps until they turned white, and a bitterness welled up in my chest. I remember the last moments of my life lying on the hospital bed in my previous life, the hospital room was deserted, no one came to visit me. When the nurse came in to change the medicine and casually asked, "Where are the family members?" I opened my mouth and found that I couldn't say a single name. At that time, I was also someone no one needed. But now it's different. I took a deep breath, raised my head to look at Uc Nhue Dao's pale, innocent face, and suddenly smiled. "You're right, this house was never mine." I put on my backpack, my voice was flat without any ripples, "But who says we must have a home?" Uc Nhue Dao was stunned, the smug look in her eyes had not yet disappeared. I didn't look at her anymore, turned around and walked out of the bedroom. As I passed the living room, I stopped and looked back at the place where I had lived for eighteen years one last time. Above

The wall hung a photo of a family of four, Uc Kien Quoc and Lam Tu Cuc smiling brightly, Uc Nhue Dao was hugged in the middle, and I stood at the edge, like a background that was fine if I didn't have it. I withdrew my gaze, pulled the door open, and walked out. The moment the door closed behind me, I didn't look back. By the time I got back to my grandmother's house, it was almost eight o'clock. Grandma was still busy in the kitchen. When she heard the door open, she poked her head out, saw me wearing a large backpack, quickly wiped my hands and walked out. "Ninh Ninh, this is..." "Grandma, I moved out of there." I put my bag on the ground, my voice was a bit hoarse, "From now on I'll stay with you." Grandma was stunned for a moment, her eyes immediately turned red. She reached out and touched my cheek, trembling and said, "Okay, okay, stay with me. I'll take care of you." Tears I held back all the way, finally fell into my grandmother's rough palm. Early the next morning, I went to school to discuss Bac Dai's enrollment. When I arrived at school, in addition to teacher Vuong and the admissions office, there was also Dung Diec Lam. He sat on the chair opposite Ms. Vuong, holding a file of documents. When he saw me walk in, he smiled slightly. "Australian is here!" The admissions teacher enthusiastically waved his hand, "Quickly sit down, what major do you two want to choose?" I sat down and said, "I want to study Biological Sciences."